Tsantsarova is recognized in Bulgaria as a critical voice against politicians.
“We are concerned about the risk of another ‘emptying of chairs’ — the removal of critical voices — from Bulgaria’s national airwaves. We urge bTV’s management to make a reasonable decision that aligns with the public interest and legislation protecting freedom of speech,” stated the Association of European Journalists Bulgaria.
Tsantsarova’s removal occurs amidst deep political unrest, following the resignation of the country’s coalition government last week after a significant wave of anti-government protests, less than a year after taking office.
Protesters outside bTV’s headquarters held cups reading “Time to make a real change,” alluding to the cup Tsantsarova recently used on air.
The TV channel denied the journalist’s removal in a statement, saying it is “in dialogue with Maria Tsantsarova and discussing possibilities for content development with her active involvement in the new year, which is standard practice.”
Neither Tsantsarova nor Yochev has publicly commented on these events.
Bulgaria fell to 70th place from 59th in this year’s Reporters Without Borders (RSF) media freedom ranking.
“Press freedom is fragile and unstable in one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the European Union. The few independent media in Bulgaria are under pressure,” RSF stated in its 2025 analysis.
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